Spring Break Power Down: Unplug Electronics

Posted by Colin Koffel

March 22, 2012

If you're leaving Oberlin for even just part of spring break, please switch off your surge protectors and unplug any other electronics. Devices like computers, gaming systems, TVs, and stereos use electricity even turned off. Studies have found these phantom loads can account for 5-10% of household electricity use. In the US alone, that waste is 3,000-6,000× as much electricity Oberlin College uses in a single year.

Ecolympics, Oberlin's annual dorm resource use reduction competition, starts after spring break. Going home for break? Pack up any electronics or appliances (e.g. mini fridge) you don't need and leave them at home so you can further reduce your electricity use during Ecolympics.